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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

When I first heard of Twitter, I didn't see the point. It's been described as "micro blogging"; the idea is that any posts (or "tweets") that you create are limited to 140 characters. You're also supposed to limit the content to answering the question "what are you doing?" Any posts you make show up on the site (and optionally, instant messages and text messages) of anyone else you've befriended who uses Twitter.

So it's sort of a combination between Facebook status updates and blogging. I used to think that there was no point in using a 3rd site to serve functions redundant with 2 other sites. However, recently I've added local people like KevBo and Deys, and old blogfriend Sachz, to my friends list, and I'm beginning to see the point.

When following real people, Twitter is like a constant stream of information about what others are doing. It's part voyeurism, but can also serve useful purposes. I can imagine someone "tweeting" about something going down at Victoria Park, then getting the message on my cell phone, wherever I am, and going to check it out. Or if a bunch of friends used it, one could write about being bored, and others could start tweeting their own boredom until an event gets organized. Stuff like this seems popular in the super-geeky tech crowd (e.g., it played a big role in that Sarah Lacy scandal, as well as many impromptu parties, at SXSW), but it could also be useful for everyday people like you and me. Well, like you.

So you should all add me to Twitter: CLICK HERE TO ADD ME JUST FUCKING CLICK IT RIGHT NOW. If you don't have an account yet, consider making one. Especially if I know you in real life. Oh, and I added a little Twitter feed over there ---> on the sidebar, so you can totally stalk me throughout the day as I update you on my every move. Exciting!

Had used Twitter a while ago, but ended up deleting my account because some douche stole the customized wallpaper from my twitter page. From that point on I despised the service.

However, more recently, the iPhone came out with an app called "Twinkle" -- which allows you to see all the other people twittering withing a 50 mile (adjustable) radius from your location. So I gave it another shot. That, and it is a really easy way to get national and technology news instantaneously... It really brings some highly addictive usefulness.

Truth be told, I check my Twitter feed like a fiend during the work day to see if others are having a similarly boring time and / or catch up on local stuff.

Good stuff. Oh, and the only advice I can give is -- It is only interesting when you follow a lot of (relevant) twitterers and have a bunch of (relevant) twitterers following you. That's when it gets cool.

About Phronk

My name is Mike. Some people call me Phronk. I'm a person, and I live in London, Ontario, Canada. I write a lot, hence the blog, but also do a lot of other stuff, including: eating, reading, watching stuff on screens, sleeping, using web sites, and walking. I have a PhD in psychology, which is why I'm so smart and you have to call me "doctor." I research and analyze technology for a living. Now you know everything about me.